Comparative evaluation of hand and rotary file systems on dentinal microcrack formation during pulpectomy procedure in primary teeth: an in vitro study

PURPOSE

Pulpectomy can be used for the management of deep dentinal carious lesions in primary teeth which can be restored. Mechanical preparation of root canals can be performed using hand or NiTi rotary files. However, this may cause dentinal stress and consequently dentinal microcracks. Hence, the aim was comparative evaluation of hand and rotary file systems on dentinal microcrack formation during pulpectomy procedure in primary teeth.

METHODS

60 extracted primary molar teeth were selected comprising of 80 root canals. Simple random sampling was used to divide root canals into four groups (n = 20): Group A-Hedstrom file, Group B-Pro AF Baby Gold rotary, Group C-ProTaper Next rotary, and Group D-unprepared group. Assessment was conducted on presence or absence of microcracks using Chi square test (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

The total number of microcracks in Group A: one (5%), Group B: four (20%), Group C: nine (45%) and Group D: zero (0%) which was statistically significant (p = 0.002). At cervical third, the number of microcracks seen with Group A: one (5%), Group B: zero (0%), Group C: five (25%) and Group D: zero (0%) (p = 0.005). At the middle third, the number of microcracks seen in Group A: zero (0%), Group B: four (20%), Group C: four (20%) and Group D: zero (0%) (p = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

The study concluded that dentinal microcracks are formed with both hand and rotary file systems in primary teeth. ProTaper Next showed significantly higher number of microcracks, followed by ProAF Baby Gold and H files.

Coaxial Layered Fiber Spinning for Wind Turbine Blade Recycling

Plastics' long degradation time and their role in adding millions of metric tons of plastic waste to our oceans annually present an acute environmental challenge. Handling end-of-life waste from wind turbine blades (WTBs) is equally pressing. Currently, WTB waste often finds its way into landfills, emphasizing the need for recycling and sustainable solutions. Mechanical recycling of composite WTB presents an avenue for the recovery of glass fibers (GF) for repurposing as fillers or reinforcements. The resulting composite materials exhibit improved properties compared to the pure PAN polymer. Through the employment of the dry-jet wet spinning technique, we have successfully manufactured PAN/GF coaxial-layered fibers with a 0.1 wt % GF content in the middle layer. These fibers demonstrate enhanced mechanical properties and a lightweight nature. Most notably, the composite fiber demonstrates a significant 24.4% increase in strength and a 17.7% increase in modulus. These fibers hold vast potential for various industrial applications, particularly in the production of structural components (e.g., electric vehicles), contributing to enhanced performance and energy efficiency.

Nanoparticle Assembly: From Self-Organization to Controlled Micropatterning for Enhanced Functionalities

Nanoparticles form long-range micropatterns via self-assembly or directed self-assembly with superior mechanical, electrical, optical, magnetic, chemical, and other functional properties for broad applications, such as structural supports, thermal exchangers, optoelectronics, microelectronics, and robotics. The precisely defined particle assembly at the nanoscale with simultaneously scalable patterning at the microscale is indispensable for enabling functionality and improving the performance of devices. This article provides a comprehensive review of nanoparticle assembly formed primarily via the balance of forces at the nanoscale (e.g., van der Waals, colloidal, capillary, convection, and chemical forces) and nanoparticle-template interactions (e.g., physical confinement, chemical functionalization, additive layer-upon-layer). The review commences with a general overview of nanoparticle self-assembly, with the state-of-the-art literature review and motivation. It subsequently reviews the recent progress in nanoparticle assembly without the presence of surface templates. Manufacturing techniques for surface template fabrication and their influence on nanoparticle assembly efficiency and effectiveness are then explored. The primary focus is the spatial organization and orientational preference of nanoparticles on non-templated and pre-templated surfaces in a controlled manner. Moreover, the article discusses broad applications of micropatterned surfaces, encompassing various fields. Finally, the review concludes with a summary of manufacturing methods, their limitations, and future trends in nanoparticle assembly.

3D Printing-Enabled Design and Manufacturing Strategies for Batteries: A Review

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have significantly impacted the daily lives, finding broad applications in various industries such as consumer electronics, electric vehicles, medical devices, aerospace, and power tools. However, they still face issues (i.e., safety due to dendrite propagation, manufacturing cost, random porosities, and basic & planar geometries) that hinder their widespread applications as the demand for LIBs rapidly increases in all sectors due to their high energy and power density values compared to other batteries. Additive manufacturing (AM) is a promising technique for creating precise and programmable structures in energy storage devices. This review first summarizes light, filament, powder, and jetting-based 3D printing methods with the status on current trends and limitations for each AM technology. The paper also delves into 3D printing-enabled electrodes (both anodes and cathodes) and solid-state electrolytes for LIBs, emphasizing the current state-of-the-art materials, manufacturing methods, and properties/performance. Additionally, the current challenges in the AM for electrochemical energy storage (EES) applications, including limited materials, low processing precision, codesign/comanufacturing concepts for complete battery printing, machine learning (ML)/artificial intelligence (AI) for processing optimization and data analysis, environmental risks, and the potential of 4D printing in advanced battery applications, are also presented.

Comparative evaluation of shear bond strength of three different glass ionomer cement (conventional, zirconium-reinforced and advanced glass hybrid) in primary molars: an in vitro study

PURPOSE

The success of restorative materials is largely dependent on their capacity to adhere to the tooth structure and withstand the various forces present in the oral cavity. So, the aim of present study was to evaluate and compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of Type IX Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC), Zirconomer, and Gold Label Hybrid GIC in primary molars.

METHODS

Thirty primary molars were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The molars were polished to provide a flat dentin surface after being inserted in auto polymerizing acrylic resin. The samples were randomly divided into three groups, equally and were bonded to GIC. On the dentin surface, restoration cylinders were made using a plastic mould that had an internal diameter and height of 5 mm and 3 mm, respectively. The cement was manipulated according to the manufacturer's directions through the plastic mould. Then, the samples were stored at room temperature for 10 days to mimic oral conditions. The Universal Testing Machine was used to test SBS. One-way ANOVA and the post hoc Tukey test were used to statistically assess the collected data.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was found in all three groups (p < 0.01), with Zirconomer demonstrating highest SBS, followed by Type IX GIC and Gold Label Hybrid GIC.

CONCLUSION

The SBS value of Zirconomer was better when compared to Type IX GIC and Gold Label Hybrid GIC.

130 Expression of selected biomarker candidate genes to confer invitro maturation in Indian buffaloes

Invitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes is a crucial step and is directly related to better embryo production in buffaloes. Therefore, we planned to study gene expression of GDF9, HAS2, SPRY1, ARHGAP22, COL18A1, and GPC4 genes in IVM and immature cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs). The COCs were recovered from follicles of slaughter origin ovaries of native buffaloes. COCs were observed under stereo zoom microscope and categorized in four grades according to morphology. Of the four grades, the first three grade COCs were considered and randomly allotted in two groups: immature treatment group (n=263) and IVM treatment group (n=272). IVM of COCs was carried out in 100-μL drops of BO-IVM medium overlaying embryo tested oil in a 35-mm petri dish under 5% CO2 in a 39.0°C incubator for 24h. Cumulus of COCs of both groups were removed by treating with 0.25% trypsin, and oocytes were stored in RNALater for future use. The expression of genes was evaluated using quantitative PCR, and the relative expression of each gene was calculated using the ΔΔCt method with efficiency correction. The logarithmic transformation of fold change (log2FC) of each candidate gene in the IVM oocyte group was computed against the immature oocyte group based on the observed cycle threshold values. Appropriate standard deviations were determined based on the observed deviations among the triplicates. The expression in the IVM treatment group of previously reported upregulated genes (GDF9, HAS2, SPRY1) was higher (up to 10-fold) compared with the immature treatment group (reference group). In the present study, relatively lower expression was observed for the other candidate genes (ARHGAP22, COL18A1, GPC4) in the bovine transcripts of oocyte, which were previously also reported as being downregulated.

A preliminary study of recombinant human interferon-α-2a activity against rabies virus in murine model

Rabies remains an important public health problem in the world due to uncontrolled enzootic rabies. Although rabies associated fatalities may be prevented with timely immunoprophylaxis, but till date a therapeutic molecule has remained elusive. We investigated the role of rhuIFN α-2a in murine model challenged with rabies virus. Titre of 10(4.25) LD50/0.03 ml of 10% w/v RV CVS stock suspension were obtained. Based on 1LD50 titre, challenge dose of 50 LD 50 was administered along with rhuIFN α-2a with pre-exposure (primed) and post-exposure with the rabies virus. Both showed increased survival time as compared with the virus controls. These findings suggest that the rhuIFN α-2a might have some anti-viral activity, which can be used for the treatment of rabies infection. Further research on the efficacy of interferon along with anti-viral drugs for the treatment will be helpful in designing combination therapy against the disease.

A rising tide: the increasing age and psychiatric length of stay for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether the substantial decline in number and duration of admissions for patients with intellectual disability (ID) have occurred uniformly over time with respect to age, gender, severity of disability, legal status and location of treatment.

METHOD

A retrospective analysis of NHS (National Health Service) admissions for ID and use of NHS ID beds in England between 1998/9 and 2007/8.

RESULTS

NHS admissions for ID halved from 37,736 to 18,091, and admissions with a primary diagnosis of ID to beds reduced by 71% from 21,866 to 6420. This reduction was most marked among children with the result that the average age of those admitted increased from 26 years to 36 years. Mean length of stay shortened except for mild ID where it increased from 131 days to 244 days (the median increased from 6 days to 32 days). There was an 18% reduction in the number of patients with ID who were legally detained to NHS facilities but a 170% increase in those to private facilities (from 202 to 545).

CONCLUSIONS

The number of patients with ID admitted to NHS facilities, especially children, has fallen dramatically. There has been a marked shift towards legal detentions to private facilities. The most notable finding was the increased duration of admissions for those with mild ID, possibly indicating that substituting mainstream for specialist services for this group has had negative consequences.

Prevalence of influenza virus among the paediatric population in Mumbai during 2007-2009

PURPOSE

Influenza has a major impact on public heath, annually affecting 15-20% of the global population. Information on the activity of influenza virus in Mumbai is limited. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of influenza viruses causing acute respiratory infections in children by molecular methods.

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence of influenza viruses among the paediatric population in Mumbai by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From July 2007 to July 2009, 100 respiratory samples (nasal and throat swabs) were collected from paediatric patients with acute respiratory symptoms. attending out patients department, and admitted to the paediatric wards of B. J. Wadia Hospital for Children, Mumbai. The samples were collected and processed as per World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Viral RNA was extracted and one-step rRT-PCR was performed to detect influenza type A (H1 and H3) and influenza type B virus.

RESULTS

Out of 100 samples processed by rRT-PCR, a total of 11 samples (11%) were positive for influenza virus. The typing for influenza A subtypes showed 1% (1) positivity for H1 and 5% (5) positivity for H3 subtypes and 5% (5) samples tested positive for influenza type B virus.

CONCLUSION

It was observed that both influenza type A and B viruses were prevalent in Mumbai during the study period. Such surveillance data are important in the early detection of any antigenic variants that may be helpful in global influenza vaccine preparation and for any pandemic preparedness activity.

Is carbon dioxide a safe and good alternative for diatrizoate meglumine as a contrast in digital subtraction angiography?

Contrast-induced nephropathy is well-known sequelae of iodinated contrast (diatrizoate meglumine). Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) can be used as an alternative contrast agent. The aim of this study was to compare the renal injury and the quality of images of aortogram using iodinated contrast versus CO(2) using digital subtraction angiography (DSA). This prospective randomized study was done in 29 healthy dogs using DSA aortogram. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive iodinated contrast or CO(2). 6-F pigtail catheter was introduced via femoral artery approach to perform aortogram under general anesthesia. Serum creatinine (S.Cr.) and urinary enzymes, namely: N-acetyl D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), were measured before and 48 hours after aortogram. There was no change in S.Cr. in both the groups. Significantly more enzymuria was seen following iodinated contrast than CO(2). Enzymuria pre and postaortogram following the iodinated contrast was GGT: 14.9 +/- 5.92 vs. 26.2 +/- 15.1 (P = 0.001), NAG: 1.63 +/- 0.90 vs. 3.6 +/- 2.14 (P = 0.0001), and AAP: 1.51 +/- 0.75 vs. 3.38 2.41 (P = 0.001), and in the CO(2) group was GGT: 15.5 +/- 4.9 vs. 21.1 +/- 9.04 (P = 0.02), NAG: 2.12 +/- 1.06 vs. 3.82 3.27 (P = 0.08), and AAP: 1.28 +/- 0.76 vs. 2.51 +/- 1.72 (P = 0.03). More than 50% increase over the preprocedural value was significantly less following CO(2). Images obtained with iodinated contrast were superior to those with CO(2,) however, the quality of image with CO(2) was adequate for delineation of the renal artery and major branches. Both iodinated contrast and CO(2) cause significant enzymuria. More severe enzymuria (>50% increase) was seen significantly less with the use of CO(2). Quality of images is better with iodinated contrast.